News & Columns > News Staff Member > Giving Thanks for Bear Necessities

Giving Thanks for Bear Necessities

News from Wildhaven

By News Staff Member
Thursday, December 4, 2008

Ground Breaking for " The Black Bear Den ". Appearing in the photo are (from left to right) Diane Williams, Franchesca Hobart, Skye Woods, Roger Williams, and Chad Hobart. (Photo by Wildhaven.)

Cedar Glen, CA — Wildhaven Ranch, in Cedar Glen, broke ground Thanksgiving Day on their long-awaited, open-top, bear sanctuary, "The Black Bear Den." This is all thanks to local resident Skye Woods, and her daughter and son-in-law, Franchesca and Chad Hobart, representing the McBeth Foundation. A grant, for $150,000 was given by the Foundation earlier this year. Wildhaven Ranch began work on a large-scale enclosure for their three resident bears: "Little Bear," "Snickers," and "Misha."

For the first time since arriving at Wildhaven, the three bears will be able to roam in a wilderness-like environment, with unrestricted views of the sky. Additionally, this gives them the freedom to walk around a large space that will include varying terrain, trees and rocks to climb, and even a stream. Furthermore, the enclosure will allow "Misha," the newest bear cub, a great place to meet her new friends, "Little Bear" and "Snickers", for the first time.

Misha, an orphaned black bear cub, will be at the Childrens Forest Visitor Center on Sunday under the auspices of Wildhaven Ranch and the Running Springs Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Bears With Us.)

Completion of "The Black Bear Den" is estimated to be Spring 2009.

For additional information regarding how you can help Wildhaven Ranch, or to make a donation to assist them with their mission: http://www.wildhaven.org/participation.html

Wildhaven Ranch was created in 1994 and is operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society. Wildhaven is a not-for-profit organization, consisting of a wildlife sanctuary; an education and visitation center for endangered and indigenous wild animals for the San Bernardino Mountains; and a wildlife rehabilitation center known as the "Forever Free Wildlife Care Center."

Wildhaven moved to its current location, a 35-acre ranch in the community of Cedar Glen, in 2000. Visiting Wildhaven Ranch is by appointment only. Call (909) 337-7389 or (909) 337-1391 to schedule an appointment and learn how you can help.

See Orphaned Bear Cub for previous story about Misha.